Memorial Day - 2024

Memorial Day was hard this year. 

We were in the thick of medical uncertainty with our baby girl. We had done a lot of the things - so many tests, but we didn't have many results. Being patient felt impossible, but it was all we could do. It was hard to know if going to the cemetery would be the right choice for Alison this year. We seriously considered not going. But this is something Alison has done every Memorial Day for her entire life so it was also hard to give that up. 

Alison needed something to occupy her time and mind, so she made cinnamon rolls. She used the Pioneer Woman cinnamon roll recipe. These cinnamon rolls include a small amount of coffee in the frosting. It seemed that would be fine, but when Debbie was eating the cinnamon rolls she loved them so much she wanted the recipe. Alison pointed her in the right direction and the next thing we knew Debbie was asking incredulously if there was coffee in the cinnamon rolls. We confirmed there was - after the initial shock it didn't stop Debbie from having a few more cinnamon rolls - they were tasty. I wouldn't be surprised if cinnamon rolls became a Memorial Day tradition. 

We started out at the Ephraim cemetery (often we visit Manti, but this year Blake and Debbie went down a day earlier and visited those graves). Two of Alison's siblings and her uncle Charlie were also at the cemetery with us. We visited the usual graves and shared memories and stories. It was hard, but we were glad to be surrounded by family while remembering those who came before. We were hoping and praying they were watching over our baby girl. 

After Ephraim, we drove to the Fairview Cemetry. A few more of Alison's ancestors are buried here. The upper portion of this cemetery has stunning views of the Sanpete Valley. It is a beautiful place. The lower, older portion of the cemetery is home to Alison's grandmother's favorite ancestor - Nancy Joy. Usually, it is a joyful stop, but this year it was hard because Nancy Joy is supposed to be our baby girl's namesake. It is so very hard when we don't know if we can get a healthy, happy baby girl here. 

We stopped for lunch at the Little Acorn. I love this classic drive-in. Stopping here for lunch on Memorial Day weekend has become something of a tradition. I love their bread and their peach shakes. Both hit the spot every time. 

We made one last stop at the Springville Cemetery on the way home. Here we left flowers on the graves of a few of my ancestors. It is always bittersweet to visit my grandma Pat's grave. I loved her so much and I still miss her. 

We don't yet know what the future holds, but we hope and pray our baby girl will be carrying on these traditions with us next year.